From Tailored Suits to Grey Shirts

Eli Feret

Eli Feret served as a captain in the U.S. Army Infantry at Fort Carson in Colorado. He is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Chicago and was also selected as a 2016 Pat Tillman Scholar.

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In June 2016, I signed out ofthe Army after 7 years as an infantry officer. I then began my journey in thebusiness world through anMBA at the University of Chicago. Preparing to enter a career of tailored suits and market analysis, I immediately missed the camaraderie and purpose I felt while working and sacrificing alongside American Soldiers while accomplishing an important mission.

Team Rubicon was there for me. I had previously worked with Region 8while stationed in Colorado, and as I transitioned to the Midwest I washappy to find that Region 5 welcomedme with open arms. Deploying for Operation Dry Tears in August, I found myself back in the dust and dirt offield work with a team of the best people I’ve ever known. After mucking outhomes for 8 hours and sweating through my Tyvek suit, I rediscovered the bond with veterans dedicated to getting shit done that I’d missed since Isigned out of the Army in June.

On my second day of the operation, I saw my name on the roster as a Strike TeamLeader. I was immediately nervous and uncertain, fearing that I couldn’t do the job as well as the great TR leaders I’d worked under. Fortunately, my TRibe came together behind me. My team communicated, bonded, and set out to work together as a team to accomplish our mission;which we did. Three days later and several thousand cubic feet of debris removed from households, I knew that no matter where I went or what career I pursued, I would have a family of warriors I could rely on to band together to accomplish an important mission.

Looking for a renewed sense of purpose? Join the team and learn what it takes to get ready for a deployment.